The Ballastas Islands (the poor man’s Galapagos) were fantastic.  They were fought over by both the British and Spanish for the rich crop of guano. A thrilling 30 minutes ride by fast speedboat was the start of the tour.

   Fast going                

                                                                                                                                No one knows where the Candelabras drawing comes from but it is very old

Curious Penguins                                                                      Proud Pelicans                                                   

Beach Belles                                                                             Swim time                                                                               All too much like hard work

       Who are you?                       

 Guano source. Each Cormorant produces 100 grms a day. Every 7 years 300 intrepid Peruvians stay 3 months to harvest it!

   Boats are loaded from this gantry.

  Inca Terns

The afternoon tour to the Reserve Nacional de Paracas was fascinating. It is where the desert meets the Pacific Ocean creating an exceptional and totally barren landscape of varied and vibrant colours 

A painter’s dream…..This protected natural area is one of the most attractive spots of the country. It has an great appeal. The ocean is rich in plankton due to the cold Humbolt Current coming up from Chile.

Inca burial site                                                                                            The big archway known as the Cathedral was destroyed by the earthquake 2 yrs ago

 What a painting it would make!                                         It never rains here

We had the best fish lunch ever in a small fishing harbour.

  It has been a long day. Waiting for the bus to take us to our next destination is an opportunity for a rest!.